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The  Congo  News  Letter 

THE  VISIT  OF  THE  CONGO-SUDAN  COMMIS¬ 
SION,  MAY  26  TO  JULY  20,  1910— REPORTS  FROM 
MISSIONARIES  OF  THE  STATIONS  VISITED— 
ENCOURAGING  EFFECTS  OF  THE  VISITATION 


T  our  Conference  at 
Matadi  it  was  thought 
that  something  should 
be  done  to  commem¬ 
orate  the  notable  visit 
of  the  Congo-Sudan 
Commission.  A  cir¬ 
cular  letter  contain¬ 
ing  accounts  of  their  visit  at  the  different 
mission  stations  seemed  to  be  the  best 
available  means.  A  committee  was  ap¬ 
pointed  consisting  of  VIessrs.  Geil  and 
Metzger  and  Mrs.  Frederickson  to  con¬ 
sider  plans  for  this  letter,  and  also  to 
study  the  problem  of  a  mission  periodical 
such  as  is  published  on  some  of  our  other 
mission  fields.  The  committee  decided 
for  the  circular  letter  and  asked  Mr. 
Moon  to  copy  the  same. 


THE  CONFERENCE  AT  MATADI 

Rumors  of  many  sorts  and  from  many 
sources  filled  the  Congo  air,  but  one  sure 
sign  was  the  faces  of  the  members  of  the 
Commission — Rev.  Drs.  F.  L.  Ferguson, 
Johnston  Myers,  and  J.  H.  Franklin, 
who  arrived  at  Matadi  by  the  steamer 
Briixellesville  May  26,  1910.  They 
had  not  been  able  to  call  at  Vlukimvika 
on  their  way  up  the  Congo  River,  so  here 
at  Matadi  they  had  their  first  sight  of 
our  great  mission  work.  They  saw  the 
important  business  interests  of  our  mis¬ 
sion  done  with  system  and  dispatch  un¬ 
excelled,  and  at  the  same  time  the  edu¬ 
cational  and  evangelistic  work  was  not 
neglected,  in  fact,  being  done  well 
enough  to  furnish  a  splendid  opportunity 
for  the  right  kind  of  a  man  and  his  wife 
to  assist  in  this  most  important  phase  of 
the  work.  On  Sunday  a  splendid  con¬ 


gregation  of  men  attended  the  services. 
They  saw  the  boatmen  building  a  fine 
new  stone  wall  around  the  mission 
grounds  when  not  engaged  in  carrying 
loads  or  passengers’  baggage.  Here  is  a 
fine  stone  chapel,  store-room  for  trans¬ 
port  loads,  and  new  book-room  built  un¬ 
der  Dr.  Sims’  supervision.  In  addition 
to  the  fine  old  mission  house  which  is 
doing  good  service  there  is  a  visitor’s 
house,  which  the  Commission  appreciated 
so  well  that  they  gave  evident  approval 
of  Dr.  Sims’  plans  for  a  new  and  com¬ 
modious  eight-room  structure.  The  dis¬ 
pensary  is  the  busiest  corner  of  the  com¬ 
pound,  for  here  often  the  work  on  the 
accounts  begins  at  half-past  four  in  the 
morning  and  by  sunrise  the  natives  are 
on  hand  for  treatment  and  medicine,  and 
on  throughout  the  day,  with  the  excep¬ 
tion  of  the  noonday  siesta,  business,  ac¬ 
counts,  and  dispensing  medicine  fill  up 
all  ordinary  days  until  steamers  are  in, 
when  receiving  guests,  taking  care  of 
their  baggage,  making  out  their  various 
State,  postoffice,  and  customs  papers,  and 
getting  them  off,  bag  and  baggage,  chop- 
box  and  all,  on  the  morning  train  at  half¬ 
past  six,  fill  them  to  overflowing. 

One  of  the  things  which  Dr.  Sims 
mentions  concerning  the  visit  of  the 
Commission  at  Matadi  was  the  sudden 
revelation  to  him  that  the  critical  mo¬ 
ment  in  the  life  of  our  A.  B.  F.  M.  S. 
Congo  mission  had  come.  On  the  Sun¬ 
day,  as  he  was  explaining  to  the  native 
congregation  in  the  chapel  the  reason  for 
the  coming  of  the  Commission,  he  broke 
down,  for,  as  he  says,  it  struck  him  that 
these  men’s  reports  at  home  would  de¬ 
termine  the  future  of  our  mission  for 


good  or  ill.  But  happily  they  were  men 
whom  we  learned  to  love  and  trust  and 
they  made  us  all  feel  that  our  work 
should  be  better  supported  than  ever. 

THE  ITINERARY  OF  THE  COMMISSION 

From  Matadi  the  Commission  trav¬ 
eled  by  train  to  Leopoldville,  stopping 
off  twenty-four  hours  at  Kimpese,  where 
they  inspected  the  work  of  the  Union 
Training  School  while  the  students  were 
in  session.  From  Leopoldville  they  took 
mission  steamers  for  a  trip  on  the  Upper 
River,  visiting  our  stations  at  Tschum- 
biri  and  Ikoko,  and  also  Bolengi,  the  sta¬ 
tion  which  we  had  to  abandon  at  the 
time  of  retrenchment  years  ago.  They 
also  visited  in  passing  the  intervening 
missions  of  the  Baptist  iMissionary  So¬ 
ciety  (English).  Returning  to  Leopold¬ 
ville,  they  took  train  again,  visiting  Sona 
Bata.  At  Thysville  they  left  the  rail¬ 
way  for  a  long  caravan  trip  in  order  to 
visit  Lukunga  and  Banza  Manteke.  En 
route  they  saw  the  large  mission  station 
and  school  center  of  the  Baptist  Mission¬ 
ary  Society  at  Wathen  and  the  Swedish 
Missionary  Society’s  station  of  Mukim- 
bungu.  After  a  tramp  of  eight  hours 
from  Banza  Manteke  they  reached  the 
railway  again  at  the  Lufu  station  and 
went  on  down  to  Palabala  Gare,  from 
where  they  climbed  the  great  Palabala 
hill  and  spent  a  night  at  that  historic  sta¬ 
tion,  and  the  following  day  went  down 
to  Matadi,  where  they  spent  several  days 
in  conference  with  the  members  of  our 
mission.  By  arrangement  with  the  Dutch 
House  at  Banana  they  were  able  to  en¬ 
gage  their  steamer  to  take  them  to  Mu- 
kimvika,  and  then  across  to  Banana  to 
catch  the  French  steamer,  July  20. 

This  remarkable  tour  was  made  as 
planned,  schedule  time  was  kept,  and  not 
one  of  the  party  was  ill  throughout. 
Great  credit  is  due  to  Mr.  Clark  for  the 
care  and  wisdom  which  he  showed  in 
conducting  the  party,  three  of  whom 
were  unused  to  tropical  travel. 

KIMPESE 

Things  move  fast  sometimes  in  Congo- 
land,  at  least,  they  did  on  Monday,  the 
30th  of  May,  when  we  received  a  two- 
hours’  notice  that  the  Commission  were 
on  the  train  en  route  for  Kimpese.  All 
hands  put  to  work  and  when  the  train 
arrived  we  were  at  the  station  with  the 


students  to  welcome  our  long  hoped-for 
visitors.  We  were  disappointed  that  the 
visit  was  to  be  so  short,  but  we  lost  no 
time  in  showing  them  about  and  discuss¬ 
ing  the  plans  of  the  school,  its  prospects 
and  needs,  and  its  relation  to  the  work 
of  our  mission  stations. 

Unfortunately  our  colleagues  were 
away  attending  a  committee  meeting  at 
Leopoldville,  but  as  far  as  possible  the 
regular  program  of  the  school  was  car¬ 
ried  out.  The  Commission  saw  the  stu¬ 
dents  in  their  homes,  at  their  studies,  and 
at  their  work.  As  it  happened,  they  had 
just  begun  brick-making  and  were  very 
anxious  to  put  on  sackcloth  and  demon¬ 
strate  what  good  bricks  could  be  made 
without  straw.  At  the  regular  prayer 
hour  in  the  evening  each  of  the  members 
of  the  Commission  and  Mr.  Clark  gave 
the  students  a  message  which  was  inter¬ 
preted  by  one  of  the  students. 

It  was  very  impressive  to  note  how 
these  men,  many  of  whom  were  super¬ 
stitious  heathen  just  a  few  years  ago,  evi¬ 
dently  appreciated  the  importance  of  the 
event.  They  seemed  to  feel  that  these 
distinguished  visitors  indeed  represented 
the  people  who  were  sending  them  their 
teachers  to  enlighten  them  and  their 
needy  people.  They  seemed  to  have  a 
new  sense  of  gratitude  to  God  for  the 
light  which  they  had  received,  and  a  new 
desire  to  carry  that  light  to  their  breth¬ 
ren  who  still  sit  in  darkness  and  under 
the  shadow  of  death. 

This  visit  was  all  too  brief,  but  it  was 
lasting  in  its  influence  upon  the  students 
who  never  failed  to  pray  for  the  Com¬ 
mission  as  they  were  making  their  jour¬ 
ney  through  this  strange  land  where  per¬ 
ils  to  life  are  so  great,  and  that  they 
might  be  able  to  return  to  their  own 
land  with  a  message  to  the  people  who 
sent  them.  S.  E.  Moon. 

A  COMMISSION  TO  THE  CONCO  MISSION 
FROM  AMERICA  ! 

We  have  often  longed  for  this,  but 
some  of  us  began  to  think  we  were  get¬ 
ting  too  old  to  live  until  it  reached  us. 
Again  we  were  a  little  nervous  when  it 
was  proposed  that  the  Commission 
should  go  to  the  Sudan  first;  then  ru¬ 
mors  reached  us  that  Congo  might  have 
first  innings  and  our  hopes  ran  high,  and 
suddenly,  before  we  could  receive  any 
definite  news,  the  steamer  Endeavor,  of 


[2] 


the  British  Baptist  Mission,  was  putting 
to  our  beach  with  the  long  looked-for 
Commission  on  board.  W e  had  no  op¬ 
portunity  to  get  up  a  demonstration,  not 
even  to  put  up  a  flag,  but  perhaps  it  was 
just  as  well  or  better  that  the  Commis¬ 
sioners  should  see  things  in  their  every¬ 
day  dress.  In  our  own  way  we  mission¬ 
aries  and  the  natives  gave  the  brethren  a 
hearty  welcome  and  we  believe  they  were 
content  to  take  us  as  we  were.  It  was 
Saturday  noon  (July  20),  and  the  ladles 
had  to  move  around  to  get  all  In  shape 
before  sunset ;  meanwhile,  the  Commis¬ 
sion  visited  some  of  the  villages  and 
climbed  the  hill  at  the  back  of  the  sta¬ 
tion  (some  four  hundred  feet)  to  get  a 
general  view  of  the  district.  In  the  eve¬ 
ning  they  joined  us  at  a  church  meeting, 
part  of  which  was  devoted  to  an  ac¬ 
count  by  Mr.  Metzger  of  a  recent  jour¬ 
ney  In  the  Henry  Reed  made  by  himself 
and  Mr.  Hartsock,  up  the  Kasai,  Mfini, 
and  Lukenie  rivers  and  Lake  Leopold  II, 
prospecting  for  a  move  forward,  and 
again  we  were  made  to  hear  the  Mace¬ 
donian  cry,  “Come  over  and  help  us.” 

Sunday  was,  as  usual,  a  busy  day.  At 
7  A.  M.,  prayer  meeting;  10  A.  M., 
service;  11.30,  baptismal  service;  3.15 
P.  M.,  Sunday  school;  4.30  P.M.,  com¬ 
munion  service;  7.30  P.  M.,  service.  In 
the  morning  Dr.  Myers  spoke,  a*^d  in  the 
evening  Dr.  Franklin  and  Dr.  Ferguson, 
and  we  believe  It  was  a  holy,  happy  day 
to  most  of  those  present. 

Monday  the  Commission  packed  up, 
and  at  10  A.  M.  steamed  away  on  board 
the  Henry  Reed  for  Bolobo,  where  they 
would  rejoin  the  steamer  Endeavor.  We 
knew  about  the  date  of  their  return,  and 
so  invited  the  evangelists,  teachers  and 
church  members  from  the  outposts,  and 
they  came  in  good  numbers.  The  sun 
had  set  before  the  steamer  Livingstone, 
of  the  Congo  Bolobo  Mission,  arrived  at 
our  beach,  but  there  was  a  large  crowd 
anxious  to  get  a  sight  of  the  Ba?npomba 
(Seniors)  who  had  come  to  visit  us. 
When  we  gathered  In  the  evening  the 
chapel  was  too  small  to  receive  all  who 
came.  Dr.  Myers  again  spoke  and  the 
missionary  translated  Into  Bobangi,  the 
general  language  spoken  in  the  district, 
but  as  there  were  present  many  women 
from  the  Baboma  tribe,  one  of  their  own 
people  interpreted  part  for  their  special 
benefit.  It  was  an  evening  long  to  be 


remembered.  In  the  morning  the  day 
school  gathered,  and  our  friends  had  an 
opportunity  of  seeing  something  of  the 
eagerness  to  learn  and  the  need  of  further 
help. 

Then  we  stood  or  sat  for  a  photograph 
and  soon  after  many  hands  and  handker¬ 
chiefs  were  waving  good-bye  to  our  dis¬ 
tinguished  visitors. 

Thank  God  for  the  visit  of  the  Com¬ 
mission,  for  whom  we  and  the  natives 
had  been  praying  for  months.  They 
brought  a  present  blessing,  and  we  feel 
sure  the  future  blessing  will  also  come. 
The  friends  who  pray  for  us  and  support 
us  are,  we  fear,  sometimes  very  shadowy, 
being  so  far  away,  but  our  people  will 
now  have  a  much  better  idea  when  we 
tell  them  of  the  love  and  of  the  kindness 
of  the  brothers  and  sisters  who  live  across 
the  water ;  the  existence  of  these  is  now 
more  real  to  them,  and  we  seem  to  have 
been  brought  much  closer  together. 

The  Missionaries,  Tschurnbiri. 

GREETING  AT  IKOKO 

It  was  a  day  of  rejoicing  and  great 
pleasure  when  the  steamer  Endeavor  was 
sighted  on  Lake  Tumba,  July  25.  We 
had  informed  our  Christians  that  It  was 
bearing  our  Commission,  accompanied 
by  Mr.  Haines  and  their  former  teacher. 
Rev.  Joseph  Clark.  IMost  all  of  the  peo¬ 
ple  of  Ikoko,  both  Christian  and  heathen, 
and  a  number  from  small  towns  nearby, 
were  gathered  on  the  beach  singing 
hymns  as  the  steamer  approached  the 
beach.  A  great  demonstration  was  made 
when  Mr.  Clark  set  foot  on  shore.  The 
people  gathered  around  him  and  carried 
him  over  the  heads  of  the  crowd,  making 
an  effort  to  tie  him  so  that  he  would  not 
leave  them  again.  Mr.  Clark,  however, 
persuaded  them  to  go  and  greet  the  Com¬ 
mission,  which  they  did. 

Our  Sunday  services  were  very  well 
attended,-  the  temporary  chapel  being 
filled  and  about  as  many  more  seated  on 
the  ground  outside.  Through  the  kind¬ 
ness  of  Mr.  and  Airs.  Stonelake,  who 
gave  the  use  of  the  Endeavor,  we  were 
able  to  go  to  Ntondo,  one  of  our  out¬ 
posts  across  the  lake.  From  there  we 
made  a  short  trip  inland  to  give  our 
Commission  an  Idea  of  the  people  and 
country. 

The  Commission  left  on  Tuesday,  but 
made  us  rejoice  in  the  fact  that  we  would 


have  them  back  again  for  the  following 
Sunday.  With  the  steamer  Henry  Reed 
I  went  to  Bolenge  to  bring  the  Commis¬ 
sion  back  to  Ikoko.  When  we  returned 
here  we  were  met  by  a  large  and  enthusi¬ 
astic  crowd.  The  evangelists  and  their 
wives,  Christians,  and  inquirers  from  our 
twelve  outposts  (some  of  them  three  or 
,  four  days’  journey  away),  came  to  meet 
these  men  from  America  and  to  greet 
Mr,  Clark.  Again  there  was  another 
demonstration  of  love  and  respect.  Mr. 
Clark  and  Dr,  Myers  were  lifted  and 
carried  through  the  crowd  to  the  house. 

On  Sunday  we  baptized  thirty-nine 
candidates.  Dr.  Myers  assisting.  The 
Sunday  school  roll  books  on  that  after¬ 
noon  showed  an  attendance  of  593  pu¬ 
pils.  In  the  evening  each  of  the  mem¬ 
bers  of  the  Commission,  also  Mr.  Haines, 
gave  a  short  talk,  Vinda  doing  the  in¬ 
terpreting. 

The  visit  of  the  Commission  to  Ikoko 
will  ever  be  remembered  by  the  Ikoko 
people.  To  show  the  importance  they 
attached  to  this  visit,  it  will  suffice  to 
record  the  action  of  the  Ikoko  church  in 
appointing  a  committee  to  request  the 
Commission  to  send  Mr.  and  Airs.  Clark 
back  at  once  and  to  send  ten  more  white 
teachers  to  help  in  this  great  work  of 
evangelizing  the  great  numbers  of 
heathen  about  Ikoko.  They  brought 
firewood  for  the  steamer  freely,  and 
when,  for  the  great  abundance  of  fire¬ 
wood  they  brought,  a  present  was  sug¬ 
gested,  they  refused,  saying  the  only  pres¬ 
ent  they  wanted  was  men  to  teach  them 
and  help  them  in  the  work  of  saving 
their  brothers  and  sisters  who  do  not 
know  Jesus  Christ.  I  hope  and  pray  that 
this  appeal  will  sound  so  loudly  to  all  of 
the  Northern  Baptists  that  they  will  send 
laborers  into  this  work  at  once.  The 
present  situation  is  really  demanding 
much  more  help  and  none  is  at  hand. 

iS*.  IV.  Hartsock. 

The  following  letter  was  written  by 
one  of  the  members  of  the  Ikoko  church : 

D  ear  Friends:  We  cannot  find  suit¬ 
able  words  to  express  our  thanks  to  you 
for  sending  this  excellent  Commission  to 
us.  In  time  past  when  we  saw  how 
other  societies  carry  on  their  work  in 
their  various  stations,  having  plenty  mis¬ 
sionaries,  we  began  to  think  that  our 
spiritual  fathers  in  America  were  neglect¬ 


ing  us.  But  now  by  the  visit  of  these 
good  men  and  their  conductor  we  know 
that  you  still  love  us  and  think  of  us. 
Our  hearts  have  been  lightened  and  we 
pray  that  God  will  help  us  to  do  more 
to  assist  our  beloved  missionaries  in 
spreading  the  good  news  to  our  neigh¬ 
bors.  We  pray,  too,  that  God  may  lead 
the  Commission. 

SONA  BATA 

Saturday,  the  25th  of  June,  the  Com¬ 
mission  visited  Sona  Bata.  The  evening 
prayer  meeting  was  well  attended.  Dr. 
Frankfin  spoke  and  won  the  hearts  of 
the  people  at  once.  Sunday  Dr.  Fergu¬ 
son  and  Dr.  Franklin  spoke  to  the  Sun¬ 
day  school.  The  house  was  nearly  full 
of  children  and  visitors.  They  heard  of 
children  in  India  and  their  customs,  and 
often  the  men  could  not  refrain  from  ex¬ 
claiming,  “Just  as  we  do.”  At  service 
Dr.  Franklin  spoke  to  a  full-packed 
house.  When  he  had  finished,  one  of 
our  evangelists  stood  up  and  thanked  him 
on  behalf  of  the  Christians  and  said  that 
he  would  pray  God  that  he  might  be¬ 
come  such  a  good  man  as  Dr.  Franklin. 

At  the  young  people’s  meeting  in  the 
evening  Dr.  Ferguson  spoke  of  the  peo¬ 
ple  among  whom  he  has  worked  so  long. 
The  house  was  full  and  the  people  lis¬ 
tened  eagerly.  The  superstitions  in  India 
seem  to  be  the  same  as  those  in  Congo. 
The  Christians  were  cheered  to  go  for¬ 
ward  as  they  heard  of  the  triumph  of 
the  gospel  out  there.  They  feel  much 
encouraged  by  their  visit  and  are  now 
hoping  that  our  mission  will  be  kept  up 
in  Congo,  for  rumors  had  reached  them 
that  all  their  missionaries  would  be  taken 
away. 

The  orphans  had  begged  to  see  the 
Commission  off.  At  the  little  railway 
halt,  quite  to  our  surprise  they  started, 
of  their  own  accord,  a  verse  of  the  hymn 
“God  be  with  you  till  we  meet  again,” 
in  Kikongo. 

The  Commission  has  come  and  gone. 
Such  men,  we  thank  God  for.  God  bless 
them.  We  cannot  praise  them  too  much 
for  coming.  What  a  sacrifice  their 
churches  and  their  wives  have  made  in 
sending  them  to  us.  How  thankful  we 
feel.  The  natives  count  them  theirs, 
and  we  all  would  enjoy  a  visit  like  this 
again  and  again. 

M.  and  P.  Frederickson. 


[4] 


LUKUNGA 

The  Commission  arrived  at  Lukunga 
from  their  overland  trip  on  Saturday, 
July  2.  Arrangements  for  their  coming 
had  been  made  by  Mr.  Hill,  who  had 
gone  up  from  Matadi  to  get  carriers  to 
go  to  Wathen  and  take  the  Commission 
for  the  remainder  of  the  trip. 

On  Sunday  there  was  a  good  crowd  of 
people,  especially  a  good  number  from 
the  north  bank.  The  people  listened  to 
talks  from  the  different  members  of  the 
Commission,  and  must  have  been  greatly 
delighted,  either  with  the  talks  or  what 
Budimba  said  in  interpreting  them,  for 
they  gathered  about  the  visitors  and 
asked  them  to  stay  two  days  and  talk  to 
them.  During  the  afternoon  the  people 
talked  with  the  Commission  and  present¬ 
ed  them  with  a  letter  requesting  that 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hill  be  sent  to  them  at 
Lukunga. 

Monday  morning,  the  glorious  Fourth, 
the  Commission  celebrated  early  by  ring¬ 
ing  the  bells  of  the  station,  and  started 
off  for  the  long  tramp  to  Mukimbungu 
and  Banza  Kanteke,  where  they  arrived 
on  Friday. 

BANZA  MANTEKE 

There  was  nothing  sentimental  or 
emotional  about  the  visit  of  the  Commis¬ 
sion  to  Banza  Manteke.  They  came, 
they  saw,  they  went  their  way.  As  far 
as  we  can  ascertain,  the  most  exciting 
event  in  connection  with  their  visit  oc¬ 
curred  a  short  time  before  their  arrival, 
when  Mr.  Clark’s  hammock  carriers, 
without  form,  ceremony  or  warning, 
brought  him  suddenly  in  too  close  prox¬ 
imity  to  the  penetrating  dampness  of  a 
stream  of  water.  We  have  not  learned 
all  the  details,  but  we  understand  why 
IVIr.  Clark  insisted  upon  wearing  his 
raincoat  until  the  arrival  of  his  baggage 
an  hour  and  a  half  later. 

We  purposed  that  the  Commission 
should  see  things  as  they  were  and  are. 
No  attempt  was  made  to  cover  up  any¬ 
thing  or  produce  abnormal  conditions. 
Prior  to  Sunday  the  Commission  looked 
over  the  grounds  and  buildings  and  vis¬ 
ited  the  day  schools.  They  also  conferred 
with  the  staff  in  regard  to  matters  per¬ 
taining  to  the  work.  On  Sunday  about 
700  persons  assembled  for  worship.  The 
coming  of  the  Commission  had  been  pre¬ 
viously  announced,  consequently  there 


was  a  larger  attendance  than  usual.  The 
main  service  was  in  charge  of  one  of  the 
native  pastors— a  man  who  was  among 
the  first  to  accept  Christ  on  this  field. 
H  is  life  is  a  beautiful  testimony  of  the 
power  of  the  gospel  to  keep  and  to  save. 
Mr.  Clark  spoke  briefly  of  the  early  his¬ 
tory  of  the  work,  its  present  condition 
and  needs  and  future  prospects.  Dr. 
Ferguson  spoke  on  behalf  of  the  Com¬ 
mission.  He  contrasted  the  work  here 
with  that  of  India  and  other  fields  and 
urged  the  people  to  be  firm  and  steadfast 
in  their  loyalty  to  Jesus  Christ  and  His 
work.  While  there  was  no  outward 
demonstration,  there  was  plenty  of  evi¬ 
dence  of  serious  reflection  and  careful 
self-examination  on  the  part  of  the 
church. 

Dr.  Ferguson’s  address  was  followed 
by  a  very  fitting  prayer  offered  by  one  of 
the  native  pastors,  in  which  he  poured 
out  his  soul  in  thanksgiving  to  God  for 
bringing  the  Commission  safely  to  us, 
for  the  help  which  has  come  and  is  still 
coming  from  the  churches  at  home,  for 
the  knowledge  of  God  and  of  His  son 
Jesus  Christ,  and  Invoking  the  divine 
help  and  blessing  upon  the  Commission 
during  the  remainder  of  their  journey, 
and  also  upon  their  families,  friends,  rel¬ 
atives  and  churches  at  home.  The  con¬ 
gregation  then  stood  and  sang  very  heart¬ 
ily  “God  be  with  you  till  we  meet 
again.”  The  service  closed  with  a  bene¬ 
dictory  prayer  by  the  native  pastor. 

I  knew  that  the  congregation  would 
want  to  welcome  their  visitors  with  a 
handshake.  I  knew,  too,  that  the  Com¬ 
mission  would  want  to  leave  in  a  very 
short  time.  So  it  was  suggested  that  the 
entire  congregation  should  show  their 
welcome  according  to  native  fashion, 
which  consists  in  clapping  the  hands 
slightly  closed.  The  suggestion  was  spon¬ 
taneously  complied  with.  However,  many 
insisted  upon  the  customary  handshake. 
It  was  a  matter  for  deep  regret  that  the 
visit  had  to  terminate  so  abruptly.  With 
sad  hearts  and  moist  eyes  many  lingered 
to  see  those  whom  they  had  come  to  re¬ 
gard  as  their  friends  and  benefactors  take 
their  departure.  I  myself  followed  for 
some  distance,  and  as  I  returned  I  passed 
a  group  of  men  in  the  nearby  village  who 
said  to  me,  “Our  joy  is  finished.”  I 
asked  why.  They  said,  “Because  the 
white  men  have  gone.”  I  replied,  “No, 


[5] 


j'our  Joy  IS  not  finished,  but  only  begun.” 
You  can  remember  their  visit  and  give 
earnest  heed  to  their  words.  Besides, 
they  bear  you  upon  their  hearts,  and  al¬ 
though  they  cannot  stay,  or  come  again, 
they  may  be  the  means  in  the  hands  of 
God  of  helping  others  to  come  who  will 
be  a  great  blessing  to  you  and  to  j^our 
work.”  They  replied,  “We  are  very 
thankful.”  Both  missionaries  and  natives 
regard  the  visit  of  the  Commission  as  a 
godsend,  and,  like  Paul  of  old,  we  have 
been  made  to  thank  God  and  take  cour¬ 
age,  J .  E.  Geil. 

PALABALA 

July  11  was  a  day  of  rejoicing  among 
our  Palabala  people  in  general.  We  had 
fixed  the  10th  for  communion  in  order 
that  our  people  from  our  out-stations 
should  see  the  Commission.  From  Sat¬ 
urday  evening  church  members  began  to 
arrive,  mothers  carrying  their  infants  as 
well  as  food  and  clothing  for  the  occa¬ 
sion. 

After  our  early  service  on  Alonday, 
175  other  members  arrived,  hence  after 
worship  at  11  A.  M.  we  sat  with  these 
at  the  Lord’s  table.  At  the  close  of  this 
service,  long  before  the  arrival  of  the 
train,  a  number  of  our  people  were  at 
the  Halt  waiting.  At  3.30  when  I  start¬ 
ed  out,  to  my  surprise  there  were  scores 
of  people  ahead.  As  the  train  stopped  at 
the  Halt,  up  went  a  shout  of  welcome 
which  the  hills  and  vales  re-echoed.  All 
the  way  to  the  compound  men,  women 
and  children  were  on  tip-toe  with  expec¬ 
tation  and  eagerly  waiting  to  see  the 
faces  of  these  new  friends.  On  the  com¬ 
pound  crowds  were  gathered  in  front  of 
our  little  chapel  with  Mrs.  Hall,  and 
as  the  Commission  arrived,  again  was 
heard  shout  after  shout  of  welcome,  such 
as  Congos  alone  can  give.  We  pressed 
through  the  crowd  to  our  new  dwelling, 
so  that  we  might  give  at  least  a  cup  of 
tea  to  the  travelers,  weary  from  the 
rough  journey  and  rougher  climb  from 
the  railway  station,  before  meeting  the 
waiting  congregation.  But  from  the  ver¬ 
anda  Dr.  Myers  thanked  the  people  for 
their  happy  welcome.  As  soon  as  possi¬ 
ble  we  repaired  to  the  chapel,  for  dark¬ 
ness  had  fallen.  Dr.  Ferguson,  Dr. 
Franklin,  Dr.  Myers,  and  also  Mr. 
Haines,  whose  presence  we  welcomed, 
gave  to  us  messages  of  inspiration  and 


clieer;  yes,  and  also  Mr.  Clark,  whom 
they  knew  from  his  early  labors  among 
the  people  here. 

The  spirit  of  oneness,  of  a  common 
purpose,  was  apparent  as  we  met  in  our 
little  mission  home  for  the  evening  meal. 
Then  letters  from  their  loved  ones  in  the 
dear  homeland  were  eagerly  read.  What 
a  share  those  loved  ones  have  in  this  ser¬ 
vice,  giving  their  best  where  they  them¬ 
selves  could  not  come. 

July  12,  after  morning  prayer  meet¬ 
ing  a  deacon,  on  behalf  of  the  church, 
thanked  the  Commission  for  their  visit 
and  asked  them  to  convey  the  gratitude 
of  the  Palabala  church  to  the  “Aku- 
luntu”  in  America  for  sending  to  them 
the  word  of  life  and  light.  He  con¬ 
cluded  thus:  “You  are  our  parents,  we 
are  your  children,  trying  to  walk,  but 
we  are  not  strong,  therefore  we  ask  you 
to  continue  to  pray  for  us,  to  help  us.” 
The  same  day  at  7.30  P.  M.  we  were  in 
session  at  Matadi  for  our  special  confer¬ 
ence  with  the  Commission. 

May  the  Master  of  the  vineyard  bless 
their  coming  in  and  their  going  out  and 
favor  us  with  the  blessing  of  another 
such  visit  in  the  not  far  distant  future. 

Elizabeth  G.  and  IV.  A.  Hall. 

NOTES  ON  THE  CONFERENCE  AT  MATADI 

On  the  evening  of  July  12  all  but  two 
of  our  Congo  missionaries  on  the  field 
were  gathered  at  Matadi  for  conference 
with  the  Commission.  We  had  a  most 
blessed  week  discussing  the  various  prob¬ 
lems  of  our  work  plans  and  prospects  for 
the  future,  with  the  result  that  we  were 
all  Inspired  with  fresh  courage  and  hope. 

Through  the  hospitality  of  our  Swed¬ 
ish  missionary  friends,  our  Conference 
spent  one  pleasant  afternoon  at  Londe. 

One  important  event  which  the  edi¬ 
tor  could  not  forget  to  mention  was  the 
birth  of  Franklin  Ferguson  Myers  Aloon 
on  the  morning  of  July  13.  This  was  no 
time  for  a  baby  to  put  in  appearance, 
monopolizing  the  time  of  doctors  and 
others,  but  he  did,  and  for  his  impudence 
he  received  his  great  name  and  a  little 
bank  account,  presented  to  him  by  the 
Conference  friends  to  help  him  in  the 
years  to  come  to  live  up  to  it. 

It  seemed  like  being  in  church  at  home 
on  Sunday  morning  as  we,  together  with 
our  friends  of  the  Swedish  Missionary 
Society  and  the  Baptist  Missionary  So- 


[6]- 


ciety,  about  thirty  white  people  in  all, 
listened  to  Dr.  Myers’  inspiring  sermon. 

In  the  afternoon  a  most  impressive 
dedicatory  service  was  held  in  Dr.  Sims’ 
dining  room  for  the  “Commission  Baby.” 
All  hearts  were  unitedly  lifted  to  God 
as  Dr.  Ferguson  led  in  the  prayer  for 
this  young  life  and  for  the  children  of 
'Other  missionaries. 

The  Sunday  evening  service  was  the 
climax  of  all  when  the  Commission  led 
us  in  a  real  heart  to  heart  experience 
meeting. 

After  all,  whether  the  Northern  Bap¬ 
tist  Convention,  the  Board  of  Managers, 
the  Commission,  or  we  as  Congo  mission¬ 
aries  shall  prove  to  be  vital  forces  in 
building  up  the  kingdom  of  God  will 
depend  ultimately  upon  how  nearly  our 
hearts  ring  true. 

Monday  morning  we  bade  the  Com¬ 
mission  good-bye.  Never  did  men  de¬ 
serve  better  the  good  will  that  went  with 
every  farewell  word. 

Good-bye,  Dr.  Ferguson.  They  say 
you  poked  your  cane  into  every  place 
where  the  white  ants  had  been  working 
— -but  jmu  know  from  experience — and 
you  can  explain  everything  when  you  get 
home. 

Good-bye,  Dr.  Franklin.  You  did 
take  notes  on  all  of  us,  and  of  how  much 
everything  cost — but  you  put  a  whole- 
souled  sympathy  down  with  every  item. 

Good-bye,  Dr.  Myers.  You  saw  every¬ 
thing,  but  you  didn’t  go  to  South  Africa. 
You  left  us  all  better  than  when  you 
came — you  told  us  what  we  needed  and 
how  to  get  it.  God  speed  you  all ! 

Good-bye,  Mr.  Clark.  When  you 
come  back  for  good  we’ll  give  you  the 
bigeest  welcome  you  ever  got  in  your  life. 

Good-bve,  Mr.  Haines.  Always  wel¬ 
come  again. 

MU  KIM  VIKA 

The  trim  Andrea  was  in  readiness  for 
the  arrival  of  the  mission  boat  with  the 
Commission  on  Monday  morning,  the 
18th  of  July — then  with  every  one  and 
everything  on  board — a  genial  sunlight 
and  smiling  faces,  with  waving  farewells, 
the  little  steamer  directed  its  course 
down  the  surging  river.  The  faces  turned 
thoughtfully  and  tenderly  backward  to¬ 
ward  the  vanishing  port  and  the  land  of 
so  many  adventures,  with  memories  of 
the  large  fields,  the  various  stations  and 


the  eager  workers  and  the  welcome  of 
the  ways.  The  abrupt  turn  of  the  river 
shut  off  iVIatadi  and  then  the  faces 
turned  toward  the  end  of  the  journey. 
Boma  was  a  port  of  call  and  the  Ameri¬ 
can  Consulate  a  point  of  visitation ;  then 
again,  we  were  in  touch  with  Matadi 
in  the  timely  luncheon,  which  had  been 
so  carefully  and  amply  provided  by  the 
thoughtfulness  of  our  Conference  women 
— everything  in  fine  form,  from  soup  to 
coffee ;  and  the  little  souvenirs  were  a 
pleasant  surprise  and  happily  received. 
Mr.  Krist  came  down  to  meet  the  Com¬ 
mission  and  Vice-Consul  Broy  came  on 
board  for  a  farewell  word;  then  the  An¬ 
drea  steamed  down  the  river  toward 
Mukimvika. 

It  was  toward  sunset  when  the  pier 
was  reached,  then  the  long  walk  up  the 
hill  until  the  arrival  at  the  heights,  just 
before  the  twilight,  allowing  a  glimpse  of 
the  station  and  the  wide,  sweeping  view 
of  river  and  sea  and  the  land-held  hori¬ 
zon.  The  arrival  was  a  most  unexpect¬ 
ed  event  for  the  station  staff ;  and  there 
was  a  general  rush  to  meet  the  demands 
of  the  occasion — rooms  in  readiness  and  a 
dinner  to  the  call  of  the  hour.  Every 
one  of  the  hospital  patients  who  could 
walk,  limp  or  toddle  came  forth  with 
keen  curiosity  and  wide-eyed  wonder  at 
the  sudden  appearance  of  so  many  white 
men ;  but  the  characteristic  courtesy  of 
the  country  did  not  fail  them  as  they  ex¬ 
tended  the  soft-voiced  salutation,  “Ko- 
leli.”  The  night  was  cool,  with  a  bit  of 
brine  in  the  air;  there  was  a  serene  still¬ 
ness  on  the  heights,  as  the  Commission 
blew  out  the  lights  for  retirement  and 
sleep — “God  rest  them,  Christian  gen¬ 
tlemen.” 

Tuesday  was  a  speeding  day  of  Inter¬ 
est.  There  were  thirty-one  cases  in  the 
hospital;  the  station  was  Inspected  and 
some  of  the  towns  visited.  The  superb 
location  of  Mukimvika  was  manifest  and 
readily  won  the  praise  of  the  Commis¬ 
sion  ;  and  there  was  a  marked  interest  in 
the  hospital,  the  patients,  and  the  dem¬ 
onstration  of  the  care  of  the  cases.  Un¬ 
fortunately,  the  school  had  not  been 
maintained  in  the  absence  of  administra¬ 
tion,  so  nothing  could  be  seen  of  that 
phase  of  the  work. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  Kruse, 
the  chief  agent  of  the  Dutch  House,  the 
Andrea  waited  at  Mukimvika  to  convey 


m 


the  Commission  to  Banana  on  Weclnes- 
da}^  morning.  The  Commission  made 
the  last  packing  of  the  Congo  journeys, 
and  then  speeded  away  to  the  last  port 
of  call,  Banana  by  the  sea.  The  coming 
of  the  Commission  was  a  great  event  in 
“Koleli”  land.  It  will  mean  a  more  in¬ 
telligent  appreciation  of  opportunity,  a 
larger  interest  and  an  adequate  support 
of  the  long  neglected  field.  The  native 
salutations  of  parting,  “li^enda  kiabiza. 
Sola  kiabiza,”'  are  all  timely  and  sugges¬ 
tive  phrases:  “You  go  on  to  the  work,  we 
remain  to  the  work” ;  “All  service  ranks 
the  same  with  God — there  is  no  last  or 
first.”  The  mutual  and  inspiring  bonds 
of  service  in  the  commonwealth  of  God 
and  the  welfare  of  His  world. 

Mr,  Kruse  v/as  waiting  at  the  pier  to 
welcome  the  Commission  to  Banana  and 
the  hospitality  of  the  Dutch  House. 
Luncheon  was  served  and  Air.  and  Airs. 
Kruse  made  the  few  hours  at  Banana  a 
most  enjoyable  event.  Then  the  French 
steamer  came  into  port  and  the  Com¬ 
mission  left  the  last  of  the  land  of  visi¬ 
tation,  speeding  onward  to  the  Sudan 
and  the  waiting  hearts  in  the  homeland. 
The  members  of  the  Commission  have 
left  a  fragrant  memory  for  good  cheer 


a|d  inspiration.  The  coming  was  most 
timely — the  selection  most  providential 
— the  fellowship  congenial  for  very 
sweetness  and  light.  They  have  en¬ 
larged  the  horizons  and  lifted  the  vision 
to  an  unfailing  outlook  for  the  extension 
of  the  kingdom  in  the  Congo.  At  last, 
after  long  and  patient  waiting,  the  hour 
has  come  for  our  American  advance. 
May  the  members  of  the  Commission 
find  the  memory  of  the  Congo  days  an 
abiding  benediction  of  remembrance ! 

An  unusual  and  delightful  feature  of 
the  social  hours  of  the  Conference  was 
the  genial  presence  of  Air.  Robert  B. 
Haines,  Jr.,  a  Philadelphian  of  the  So¬ 
ciety  of  Friends.  Air.  Haines  has  a  deep 
interest  in  African  missions  and  so 
availed  himself  of  the  opportunity  of  per¬ 
sonal  observation  through  the  visit  with 
the  Commission.  Air,  Haines  is  the  first 
layman  whom  the  Conference  has  the 
privilege  to  entertain ;  it  is  hoped  that 
others  will  find  the  Congo  an  interesting 
field  for  travel  with  the  opportunity  of 
seeing  Congo  missions.  From  Alay  un¬ 
til  October  journeys  can  be  made  com¬ 
fortably  by  the  inexperienced  in  tropical 
travel. 

iS.  jE.  Moon, 


[8] 


THE  WOLFER  PRESS,  NEW  YORK 


